At the invitation of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Ms. Iselin Nybø, Minister of Research and Higher Education of Norway, led a large delegation to China on April 16-21, 2018, to implement the consensus reached at the meeting of the leaders of the two countries and further China-Norway STI cooperation. As the first event between the two sides in China, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the Ministry of Research and Higher Education of Norway jointly celebrated a China-Norway Science Day in Beijing on April 17, which was attended by more than 300 representatives from governments, research institutes and enterprises of both counties. Minister of Science and Technology Wang Zhigang and Minister Iselin Nybø respectively made keynote speeches at the meeting.

Minister Wang Zhigang said that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the signing of the China-Norway Inter-governmental Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation and the China-Norway Science Day is held at an opportune time to exchange views on innovation policies, share achievements of innovation ,development and cooperate in priority research areas. In line with the trend of the times of mutual trust, mutual benefit and equal cooperation, the event will bring the bilateral STI cooperation to a new level. Minister Wang Zhigang pointed out that the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China ushered in a new journey to build China into a modernized socialist country. China will continue to push forward the building of a community of common destiny and adhere to the principle of open cooperation and proactively develop global partnerships. As for future STI cooperation, Minister Wang Zhigang made three suggestions: 1. seize strategic opportunities and carry out practical cooperation in priority areas; 2. strengthen strategic collaboration and create unique specializaton for bilateral cooperation; 3. establish platforms for cooperation in innovation and entrepreneurship based on personnel exchanges.

Minister Nybø appreciated the STI achievements made by China and spoke highly of the important role of STI cooperation in the overall relationship between the two countries. She expressed the wish of the Norwegian side to engage in various forms of cooperation including personnel exchange, joint research, technology application and pilot projects in the key fields of environment, climate change, renewable energy, polar research, marine science, aquaculture and life science, strengthen mutually beneficial and win-win cooperation in research innovation and education under new circumstances and working together for sustainable economic and social development.

At the China-Norway Science Day, representatives from governments, universities and research institutes engaged in fruitful discussions on such topics as partnering in priority areas, exchange of STI policies and cooperation for sustainable development and looked into the prospects and opportunities for future cooperation.

During her visit to China, China and Norway will also jointly hold China-Norway Education Day and China-Norway Shanghai STI and Education Cooperation Day, ushering in a new chapter of China-Norway STI cooperation.
（Photo by Liu Daming/MOSTIC）